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Inspired Love

By Ann Bell

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Chapter 1


The co-manager of Sleepy Eye Motel in Rocky Bluff, Montana, forced a smile as the young, slender stranger approached the desk. “May I help you?”
The weary traveler glanced nervously around the lobby. “I’d like to rent a room with a kitchenette,” he snarled.
Anita Reed shuddered. “We only have three kit-chenette units and they’re generally full, but someone just checked out this morning, so number thirteen is available.” She reached for the room key behind her and the registration form under the counter.
The young man reached for a pen and began filling out the form. A scowl crossed his face. “I hope it’s on the back side of the building. I don’t like being dis-turbed.”
“Yes, it’s right off the alley. It’ll provide you with a lot of privacy. How long do you plan to stay?”
He nervously took a round can from his hip pocket. He opened the container and placed a small wad of tobacco in the side of his mouth. “I’ll be in Rocky Bluff until I decide to move on.”
“Our policy is that the kitchenette units must be rented for a minimum of three days,” Anita stated firmly. “After that it can go on a day-by-day basis with the checkout time at eleven o’clock.”
The stranger took his wallet from his tattered GI fatigues and handed her a hundred-dollar bill. “Take the first three days out of this.”
Anita counted back the change and then reached for the partially completed registration form. She glanced suspiciously over its contents. “I’m sorry, sir, but you didn’t fill out your model of car and license plate number.”
He grabbed the paperback and reached for the pen on the counter. “Boy, you hick-town people sure are snoopy. It’s none of your business what kind of car I drive.”
“It’s one of our regulations. It also helps us provide better protection for our guests.” Anita breathed a sigh of relief as her husband entered the side door of the lobby.
The disgruntled traveler scribbled a response on the form and handed it back to Anita without muttering another word.
Anita handed him the key to room thirteen. “Have a good day. If there’s anything we can do to make your stay more pleasant, please let us know.” Her kind words did not betray her inner fear and concern.
Grabbing the key, the young man stomped from the room, oblivious of Dick Reed’s presence.
Dick shook his head with disgust. “Boy, he’s a mean-acting dude to be driving such a late model Porsche. Most Californians leave their fancy cars behind and only bring their all-season vehicles when they come to Montana on vacation. Generally, they want to see the beauty of the backwoods, not try to impress the natives.”
Anita glanced out the window. “I wonder what he’s up to here in Rocky Bluff,” she responded. “We’re too far off the normal tourist route between Yellowstone and Glacier Parks for casual visits.”
“I think we’d better keep an eye on him. If he does anything suspicious, we ought to let Phil Mooney know down at the police station. I heard that Little Big Horn County is seeing a great increase in drug traffic. There’s a lot of flat land here for traffickers to land small, private planes.”
Anita looked quizzical for a moment. “I have heard a lot more low-flying planes lately, but I just assumed they were crop dusting.”
“That’s what they want us to think, except it’s long past the spraying season. I just hope that our new guest isn’t one of them. But drug money could explain the fancy car.”
~
Beth Slater arranged a pile of toys on the kitchen floor and then joined Edith Dutton at the table for a leisurely cup of coffee. “I hope Jeffy won’t be in your way if he plays with his trucks in the corner.”
“That’s perfect,” Edith assured the young mother. “It’s been such a pleasure to watch Jeffy grow. It doesn’t seem like any time at all since you brought him over for the first time. He was all wrapped in blankets and spent most of his time sleeping in the corner.”
A faraway gaze settled on Beth’s face. “I don’t think I could have gotten through those early days without you. I often wonder what would have happened if you hadn’t been working the crisis line the first time I called it.”
“I’m sure the good Lord would have brought someone else into your life at that time.” Edith paused as memories of the last four years flooded her. “I’m just glad I was the one who got to know you and little Jeffy. It’s been so encouraging to watch a scared sixteen year old learn to care for her baby, then get her high school diploma and go on to take secretarial courses at the community college.”
“At the time I never thought it would be possible, but here I am getting ready to go on a job search myself.” Beth took a long, pensive sip of coffee before continuing. “When Libby Reynolds graduated and got her first job as a paralegal, it all looked so easy. Now when it’s my turn to go out into the workaday world it seems so difficult. I don’t even know how to begin.”
Edith handed Jeffy another chocolate chip cookie. Before she retired as the home economics teacher of Rocky Bluff High School, her recipe for chocolate chip cookies had become famous throughout the state of Montana. Her cookie jar was rarely empty.
Jeffy dropped his Matchbox truck and reached for the cookie. “Thank you, Mrs. Dutton.”
“You’re welcome, sweetie,” she replied. Edith turned her attention back to the proud mother. “I’m glad to see that you’re teaching manners early to Jeffy. It makes it so much easier when they get in school.”
Beth’s baby was growing into a normal, happy child. “Jeffy seems to have been born with a sweet spirit,” Beth beamed. “I’m so glad you directed me to the necessary social services when I needed them. But now it’s time I get off welfare altogether,” she declared. “Edith, do you have any tips on how to begin job hunting?”
“Have you tried to put a résumé together yet?”
“How can I prepare a decent résumé when I’ve never had any job experience? And no one is going to give me a job without experience.”
“You’ve taken care of Libby Reynolds’s baby reg-ularly,” Edith re-minded her. “That would count toward demonstrating dependability and responsibility.”
“Hmm. I never thought of that.”
“If you listed the skills you’ve learned in your vari-ous classes, you’d have a lengthy list. Why don’t you sit down tonight after Jeffy’s asleep and jot down the highlights of each class?” Edith suggested. “We can go over it in a few days and compile a list of your qualifi-cations and draft your résumé so all you’ll have to do is go to the computer center and type it.”
Beth glowed as a weight of concern was lifted from her shoulders. “I sure appreciate your help,” she replied. “Will you be busy Wednesday afternoon to go over the details?”
“I’ll be here,” Edith assured her. “How does two o’clock sound?”
Edith went on to remind Beth to read the job ads in the Rocky Bluff Herald newspaper every day and to stop at the Montana State Job Service at least once a week.
Beth nodded her head in agreement with each suggestion Edith made. “And, most importantly,” the older woman continued, “do as much volunteer work as you possibly can. You never know what might turn into a full-time position.”
“Libby’s volunteer work on Stuart Leonard’s elec-tion committee for county attorney sure won her a jewel of a position,” Beth giggled. “I don’t know where to begin looking for a volunteer position. I faint at the sight of blood, so I wouldn’t be any good at the hospital.”
“I volunteered at the crisis center when I first retired,” Edith reminded her with a twinkle in her eye. “In fact, I found more than just a few hours of fulfillment. That’s how I met Roy. We were married several months later.”
Beth sighed as her shoulders slumped. “I wish something like that would happen to me, but I don’t think there’s much of a demand in Rocky Bluff for single mothers as wives.”
“Don’t give up hope so soon. You never know what the future will hold,” Edith consoled as she patted Beth’s hand. “Just go on with your plans and Mr. Right will sneak into your life in the most unexpected way.”
Beth straightened her shoulders as Edith’s wisdom reached deep into her spirit. “You’re right,” she smiled. “The most important thing right now is finding a job so I can support myself and Jeffy and get off welfare.”
Beth paused and took another sip of coffee before continuing. “Several months ago the director of the crisis center asked me if I would have time to help with the clerical work there. I was too busy with classes then, but from now until I find a full-time job I could probably help at least once a week.”
“That’s perfect,” Edith replied enthusiastically. “Why don’t you give Dan Blair a call when you get home? We could then include your volunteer work on your résumé.”
Just then, Jeffy crashed two trucks with disgust. Beth motioned for him to stop and then began helping him pick up his toys and placing them in his bag. “Edith, you’ve been a great help, but I think I better get Jeffy home for his afternoon nap. It looks like his frustration level is getting too high.”
Edith fetched Beth’s and Jeffy’s coats from the front closet then helped the four-year-old get his arms into the sleeves. “I’m looking forward to our visit Wednesday,” she said as she opened the door for her guests.
Beth smiled. “Thanks. I need all the help I can get. I’ll take your advice and give Dan Blair a call as soon as Jeffy is down for his nap.”
Edith watched the young mother and child from her living room window until they rounded the corner. So many troubled young people have found their way to my kitchen table for encouragement since I retired, she mused. My heart attack may have slowed my body, but as long as my welcome mat is out, I don’t have to feel trapped within these walls.
Returning to the sofa, Edith reached for a pillow, slipped off her shoes, and stretched out for a quick nap. As soon as she had dozed off, the shrill ring of her telephone awakened her. I wonder who that could be; she thought as she rubbed her eyes and hurried to the phone.
“Hello, Mother,” Jean Thompson greeted when Edith picked up the receiver. “How are you and Roy doing today?”
“I’m doing well, just my usual slow self,” she re-sponded with a chuckle. “However, we’re having trouble getting Roy’s diabetes stabilized. One minute he’s fine, the next minute his blood sugar may drop to a dan-gerous level. Last night it zoomed up to four hundred again.”
“Has he been staying on his diet?” Jean queried. “I know how much Roy likes his sweets.”
“Surprisingly enough he’s followed his diet reli-giously, so I don’t understand the fluctuation,” Edith stated. “It sure is nice having a nurse for a daughter to share my concerns with.”
“At least my advice is free,” Jean laughed. “How-ever, maybe you should notify your doctor and not wait for his regular appointment.”
“I suppose you’re right,” Edith sighed and then searched for a way to ease the tension building within her. “Now enough about us. How are you and Jim and little Gloria?”
“We’re doing great. I enrolled Gloria in nursery school three days a week while I work, and she loves it. She brings home all kinds of artwork for our refrigera-tor.”
Edith grinned. “I hope you’ll share some of it with me,” she said. “When Jay and Dawn were little, Bob and Nancy made sure I was supplied with all kinds of ‘Grandma’s art.’ ”
“Mom, do I still have to keep competing with my big brother?” Jean teased. “My kid’s artwork is as good as his kids’.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m just saying I like to see the work of all my grandchildren, not just those who live close by,” Edith scolded gently and then took a deep breath before continuing. “Not to change the subject, but how’s Jim doing? I hope the problems at the sawmill are being resolved.”
“I wish they were,” Jean replied, not able to hide the pain in her voice. “The environmentalists won,” she stated sadly. “The spotted owl controversy was enough to close the area woods from logging, which is forcing all the sawmills around Chamberlain, Idaho, out of business. It’s really a sad time for our town. I don’t know if it will ever be able to recover.”
“Does Jim know what he’s going to do yet?”
“Since he’s working in the office, he’ll be one of the last ones to leave. He has to make sure all the financial accounts are balanced before they lock the doors. Then I don’t know where we’ll go. There has already talk about having to close the local hospital because of declining support. That means I’ll be out of a job as well.”
“If you do decide to leave Chamberlain, it sure would be nice if you’d move a little closer to Rocky Bluff. It’s awfully hard to have family so far away.”
“We’ll have to see what happens. I’ll call you in a few days and let you know what’s developing,” Jean replied. “Mother, promise me you’ll call the doctor about Roy,” she added as she ended the conversation and returned her phone to its cradle.
Edith had just made herself comfortable in her recliner when Roy came out of the master bedroom to join her. “You sure have had a busy afternoon,” he said, brushing his lips against her cheek. “Who was that on the phone?”
“Jean just called to let us know the mill where Jim works will be closing and they’ll probably be looking for jobs somewhere else.”
“I sure wish they’d move back here. I’m getting kind of attached to Gloria,” Roy commented as his eyes sparkled. “She’s getting to be a real charmer.”
“That’s exactly what I told her.” Edith paused as her eyes caught a glimpse through the window of Bob’s Ford Taurus pulling into the drive. “I wonder what Bob’s doing here in the middle of the day?”
“I guess we’ll soon find out,” Roy replied as he opened the front door for his stepson. “Bob, glad you could stop by. What brings you out at this time of day?”
“Coffee break time,” the dark-haired businessman countered as he made himself comfortable on the sofa. “Besides, I need some words of wisdom from Mother and you.”
Edith raised her eyebrows as she remembered the days when Bob wanted sole control of the family business that his father started more than thirty-five years before. Bob has changed so much since the car accident that killed Roy’s son, Pete, she thought. That guilt nearly destroyed Bob before he came to terms with his responsibility.
“Mom,” Bob began as he surveyed his aging mother. The wrinkles around her eyes and forehead seemed deeper each time he saw her. “Since the grand reopening of the store after the fire, I’m finding myself in an extremely unique situation. With the settlement of the insurance company and the extra business that has been generated, I’m going to have to invest in a hurry or pay a tremendous tax bill. Do you have any ideas?”
“For someone who was contemplating bankruptcy just a little over a year ago, this is a major miracle,” Edith chuckled. “Just off the top of my head, my only suggestion would be to open a satellite store. Your father always wanted to do that, but the cash flow was never there at the right time.”
Bob scratched his head and stared out the window for several minutes. “That’s a good idea,” he said thoughtfully. “But where would I build it? Great Falls and Billings are crowded with hardware stores.”
“Bob, why don’t you try one of the smaller towns around here?” Roy suggested. “All of them cater to the farmers and ranchers, but no one is willing to invest in their towns. The businesspeople want the major cities, and the retirees and new transplants all want the mountains. No one seems interested in the foothills and the prairies, so that’s a ripe market for investment.”
Bob grinned from ear to ear. “That’s a fantastic idea. I could do a little investigative work as to the local economy and the support a new store might expect to receive from the locals. Do you have any suggestions for location?”
Edith mentally scanned the geography of central and eastern Montana. Suddenly her eyes brightened. “How about Running Butte? It’s only a little over an hour’s drive from here. It’s a well-kept little town with a lot of community pride, even after they closed the school and bussed the children into Geraldine. The reservation towns are often neglected by the outside world.”
“Hmm, not a bad idea,” Bob replied as he stroked his chin. “Maybe Nancy and I will drive out there this weekend and look around. Would you and Roy like to come with us?”
Roy and Edith exchanged glances. “Sounds good to me. I’m always looking for a chance to take the prettiest woman in town out to the countryside,” Roy chuckled.
“Oh, by the way, Bob,” Edith inserted. “Your sister called this afternoon. It seems that the environmental-ists temporarily won the battle in the Northwest and shut the woods up for logging. They’re going to be closing Jim’s mill. The entire town of Chamberlain is upset about their loss. Right now Jim and Jean don’t know what they’re going to do. However, with Jim’s accounting skills, I’m sure he’ll be able to find another job, but I’m sure it will mean they’ll have to relocate.”
“I wonder how they would like to live in Running Butte,” Bob snickered as he slipped on his coat and headed for the front door.

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